Alicia Silverstone won everyone over with her portrayal of a Beverly Hills teen, Cher, whose penchant for helping others with their relationships and self-esteem is a cover for her own loneliness. Director Amy Heckerling (... more &raquoFast Times at Ridgemont High) made a smart, funny variation on Jane Austen's novel Emma, sweetly romantic and gently satirical of 90210 social manners. The cast is unbeatable: Dan Hedaya as Cher's rock-solid dad, Wallace Shawn as a geeky teacher, Paul Rudd as the boy who has always been Cher's surrogate brother--and the true holder of her most secret wishes. --Tom Keogh&laquo less

Movie Reviews

A Special Edition that this movie deserves!

Cubist | United States | 09/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new special edition is a definite improvement over the previous incarnation that had no real extras to speak of and so for fans of this movie it is definitely worth the double-dip. Watching these new extras is like revisiting the cast ten years later to see what they've been up to. They are done in the style of and maintain the same tone of the movie which is a nice touch.

"The Class of `95" examines how the film was cast. Heckerling talks about how she picked the actors. The main cast members, except for Silverstone and Jeremy Sisto, are all back to talk about how their involvement.

"Creative Writing" takes a look at the film's origins. The studio originally wanted Heckerling to write a TV show about an in-crowd group of teens but they didn't get it so she changed it into a movie.

"Fashion 101" examines the memorable costumes from the movie. What Cher and her friends wore reflected the personality of each character and ended up influencing what kids subsequently wore.

"Language Arts" is a crash course on the film's colourful slang. Heckerling had collected books and lists of slang over the years and incorporated it into the movie so that each character had their own way of speaking and favourite sayings that are now quoted endlessly by its fans.

"Suck `n Blow: A Tutorial" explains the party game that takes place in the film in an amusing featurette done during the production.

The challenge of shooting Dionne's driving lesson on the Los Angeles freeway is explored in "Driver's Ed." It was a logistical nightmare with all kinds of vehicles coming at the actors so that their scared reactions were genuine!

"We're History" features the cast and crew talking about what they think about the film ten years later. Not surprisingly, they are all proud of its legacy and how well it's aged.

Finally, there is a teaser and theatrical trailer."

Classic! Classic! Classic!

Luis Hernandez | New York, New York, USA | 12/02/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This clever, modern retelling of Jane Austen's novel "Emma " was one of the best high-school theme films made in the past twenty years. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling ("Fast Times at Ridgemont High"; "Look Who's Talking) spent a year in the lives of several teens at various high schools in Los Angeles to give the filmgoer a truly authentic look at life among the young social elites of Southern California.Alicia Silverstone ("Excess Baggage"; "Batman & Robin") stars as Cher Horowitz, a young, hip teen residing with her lawyer father (Dan Hedaya) in Beverly Hills. Along with best friend Dionne (Stacey Dash of "Mo' Money"), the girls are the doers of social good deeds at their high school. Whether it is trying to play matchmaker for two lonely teachers (playwright Wallace Shawn and Twink Caplan, who is also an executive producer of the film) or doing a serious make over for Tai (Brittany Murphy) a new, dowdy student from the east coast, Cher is the toast of the school among her peers.However, playing matchmaker for others has made Cher realized that she too needs to find someone special in her life. Pestered by her ex-stepbrother Josh (Paul Rudd) in doping deeds that benefits others and not only herself, Cher discovers that what she truly needs is a spiritual makeover that will allow her to attain happiness and respect. Yet, she wonders why it bothers her so much on what Josh is thinking? As the story progresses, we discover that opposites attract and Cher has realized how "clueless" she was while looking for Mr. Right.Wonderfully directed and casted,"Clueless" features some memorable performance by Julie Brown (as Ms. Stoger, the physical education instructor), Donald Faison (as Dionne's boyfriend Murray) and Justin Walker, as Christian Stovitz. Walker who plays his role with comedic sensibility is great and witty as the boy Cher has the hots for, although she has little knowledge about his background."Clueless" is one of the best films released in the 1990's due to his smart use of popular lexicon, icons, and attitudes that can be attributed to most American teenagers. This is Silverstone's greatest performance to date, seeing that most of her later works did not go well with critics or filmgoers. Although a television series based on the film was launched in 1997, it couldn't capture the charm, wit, and performances of this film. "Clueless" is a classic teenage film you can watch over and over again. It's destined to become a cult classic"

The Best Teen Movie Of All Time

Amanda | Maine | 02/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why is it the best teen movie of all time? Because it was hip, and it was smart. There was no gross-out humor or slapstick comedy. It was a big movie with a big heart. It's really hard not to fall in love with this movie.Loosely based on Jane Austen's "Emma" (LOOSELY), "Clueless" revolves around a ditzy rich girl name Cher, whose life consists mostly of cell phones, trips to the mall, a killer wardrobe, and tons of guys drooling over her. Her best friend is Dionne, who is just as superficial as Cher. One day, a new girl, Ty, comes to school and inspires a project for Cher. Project: Makeover! What begins as a selfish way to make Cher think she's doing something to help mankind, turns into a really sweet, funny film.Alicia Silverstone is wonderful in this movie, and sadly has not found any good roles since. A shame, since she is genuinly a great actress. This is also where Brittany Murphy got her big start, as the girl in desperate need of a makeover. And who didn't have a crush on Paul Rudd, who played her "annoying" older ex-stepbrother?If you haven't seen this film yet, then, well, I'm wondering why. It was at one point my favorite movie, and it's still high up on my list. It's charming, sweet, funny, and smart. If only other teen movies could take notes from this one. Then we wouldn't have to sit through these ridiculous ones they keep putting out all the time ("American Pie" springs to mind...)."

Funny, Entertaining

Amanda | 12/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm 43 years old and usually don't care at all for "teenager movies." This was a wonderful, pleasant surprise. I "got" this movie right away. Its making fun of the snobby Beverly Hills rich kids and their shallow, materialistic minds. Like when Cher's Dad asks her what she did at school that day, and she says "Well, I broke in my purple clogs." But it also cleverly shows that even in Cher's shallowness she shows up Josh's college girlfriend by correcting her that Hamlet does not say "To thine own self be true," but that Coloneus (sp) guy does. Because, as Cher says, she knows her Mel Gibson. Another thing I enjoyed was learning all the different sayings the kids had. As if, not even, totally buggin, shame spiral, dope, crimson wave, bonehead, a barney, a baldwin, a betty, its like, you know."

The good movie that launched a thousand bad clones

orbit13 | 08/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The good news is that "Clueless" is witty and funny and doesn't sink into self-parody; the bad news is the rash of teen movies that followed and have consistently tried, and failed, to emulate its success. On the surface, the movie seems an homage to the materialistic snobbery of young America, but peel through the beaded curtains of shopping bags and Valley Girl-speak, and you'll find a light romantic comedy somewhere along the lines of, well, "Emma," the Jane Austen novel from which this movie comes.This successful attempt to translate a classic into modern context doubles as an effective satire of the superficial teen culture generated on TV and in movies. You don't take these guys too seriously and because of that, the story is both fun and engaging. Cher, the pretty gum-popping, cell phone-toting heroine, loves clothes, boys, and her dad, in about that order. She manages everyone else's life just fine but is clueless when it comes to her own. Not only does she have to overcome normal teenage struggles like a doting dad, difficult homework, and rocky friendships, she's got to deal with matching her undergarments, dresses, and shoes, failing her driver's test, and falling in love with her ex-step-brother. Tough life, eh? But it's those little quirks along Cher's inflated path to self-discovery that make this movie such a gem. Her humorous approach and response to any situation immediately recalls Austen's Emma.Critics can whine all they want about Alicia Silverstone, but she delivers a standout performance as Cher, giving her both brains and tenderness and giving us a character to care about. Cher is at once innocent, smart, sexy, compassionate, and mature. Silverstone is so convincing, she hasn't been able to escape her role. The supporting cast is excellent as well, especially Dan Hedeya as her overprotective yet loving father. This movie is full of heart, fun, and laughs and one that will stand multiple viewings; it's not a guilty pleasure, just a pleasure."